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Kerala: Govt school students get gender-neutral uniform

In a gender-bending move, a government school in Kerala has introduced unisex uniforms for its students in the current academic year. Girls and boys at the Valayanchirangara Government Lower Primary School must now wear gender-neutral shorts and shirts as their uniform. The new rule has been established for students of all classes to enable easy movement. This challenges the stereotypical notion that girls can only wear skirts.

Speaking on the issue, Raji C., headmistress of the institution told The Hindu, “This is particularly convenient for girls who can play easily now,” she said in an interview.

“We were initially worried about the reaction from parents who might want their girls to continue wearing skirts. But most parents have welcomed the idea,” she said. The girls are excited about the pockets in the shorts too. As a trial, gender-neutral uniforms were introduced for the children of the pre-primary section last year.

The 104-year-old school is run by an all-women team of teachers and other staff.